Tuesday’s Gamble Classic matchups/preview

It could be said that Port Arthur Memorial has been the most successful team in the James Gamble Classic so far. The Titans went 2-0 on Monday with a 23-point win over Galena Park and then a 10-point win against Manor. Memorial is the only team that played twice during the opening round(s) of the nine-team tournament.

Memorial has a tougher task today against a Houston North Forest team that beat Houston Eisenhower 61-51 on Monday. Similar to Memorial, North Forest is athletic and plays pressure defense. Six-foot-7 forward Andre Sloan is North Forest’s main scoring option. He’s a wide body in the paint and has a soft touch that gives him the ability to knock down mid-range jumpers. Memorial will counter with 6-foot-8 center Tre’Von Armstead, who has the ability to dominate the glass. The Titans also have 6-foot-2 forward Da’Vaughn Thomas who has the build of a defensive tackle in football.

Offensively, the Titans are led by lanky 6-foot-3 forward Earl Bray who scored 22 and 18 in the two games on Monday. Guard Mickey Woods, meanwhile, is the team’s main threat off the dribble. The Titans also have solid options from the likes of senior guard Josh Cormier and freshman point guard Torrian Lott.
Ozen vs. Fort Bend Hightower, 5:30 p.m. (semifinals)

Both teams had to shake off some rust yesterday. Ozen trailed West Brook by nine at halftime before pulling off a 53-52 win. Likewise, Hightower was losing to Central by two at halftime before the Hurricanes eventually took a 56-48 win.

Hightower is the most athletic team in the tournament. Daniel House, a 6-foot-5 forward, is a good shot blocker on defense and is versatile on offense with post moves, put-backs, dribble drives and outside shooting. A big difference maker for Hightower is Johnathan Jordan who is likely the best point guard in the tournament. He was the MVP of the Beaumont-ISD/YMBL tournament earlier this month.

Ozen will need to take care of the basketball. The Panthers can succeed in fast-paced games and slower games, but that will be crucial against Hightower. The Panthers don’t want it to turn into a track meet. However, Ozen thrives in scoring off turnovers so a half-court pressure defense might be the Panthers’ calling card. We’ll see. Ozen’s main scoring options are shooting guard David Trey Green and 6-foot-8 forward Jeffery Ieans.

Green will be playing against his father, David Green, who is the head coach at Hightower.

Central vs. West Brook, 4 p.m. (consolation semifinals)
These teams have split their two meetings this season. Central is ultra-athletic and wants to run while West Brook likes to force outside shots while playing its 2-3 defense. If Central can get out and run then this is a win for the Jaguars. West Brook, meanwhile, has to slow the tempo on defense and knock down outside shots on offense. Central’s interior defense is tough to score on with Joseph Allen and Alex Pickett down low blocking shots. The Bruins’ main outside threat is guard Chris Haynes.

Eisenhower vs. Galena Park, 2:30 p.m.(consolation semifinals)
I’m expecting Eisenhower to win this one, although Galena Park has some weapons (Javonte Johnson and Darrow Adams) that can score the basketball and could make this an interesting contest.